Three Fires Elementary School

March 27, 2020

Dear Three Fires Families, 

First and foremost, we miss you all!  As you are aware, there are many unknowns related to the effects of the coronavirus on our families, school, state, and country.  Those details and many other issues are actively being worked out. The top priority remains to stop the spread of this virus by staying home and staying safe!  I hope that you have found some time these past two weeks to breathe and take one day at a time. As we navigate these unfamiliar times, my wife continues to remind me not to dwell on the worst case scenarios and potential long term ramifications.  As a family, as a team, and as a school community, we will get through this together. As our teachers learn new methods for connecting with our students remotely, please be patient with them. I know that all of our teachers are working hard to learn new ways to connect with your child and connect your child to their classmates.  I am beyond proud of my staff as they once again show that they are capable of amazing things on behalf of their students in extremely difficult circumstances. Our school may be closed but your school counselor and social worker are here to help. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any needs, questions or concerns you may have.  Ms. Nemeth (School Counselor) can be reached at [email protected].  Mrs. Damon (School Social Worker) can be reached at [email protected].  Please know that our school will continue to be here for you during these times.  On behalf of the entire Timberwolf Staff, we miss you!  

Bob Starkey

[email protected]  

Help us Name our Therapy Dog - Elite 8 Bracket 

Our students continue to have an opportunity to choose our new therapy dog's name.  We are now on to the “Elite 8” bracket. Limit ONE vote per student. This round will end on Friday, April 3rd.  Click here to complete round 2 voting!

Fresh Market and Shared Harvest Pantry Update  

For the safety of their staff, volunteers, and recipients, Gleaners is suspending the Fresh Market and Shared Harvest Pantry until further notice.  At this time there will not be a shopping or drive-thru model. You can, however, make an appointment for receiving groceries by calling 517-548-3710 on Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 3:00.  If you have any questions, please contact Jeanie Nemeth at [email protected]. 

Meals For Families During Required Closure

Please remember that on Monday, March 30, from 4 to 6 p.m., our Food Service Department will be providing meal kits to district families who need them. The kits will contain both breakfast and lunch items for the week. The meal kits will be available for pick-up from 4 to 6 p.m. in the circle driveway on the north side of Howell High School (near the rock). Weekend Survival Kits will also be handed out during the meal distribution on Monday, March 30. The district will deliver meal kits to families who are unable to secure transportation to pick up or who cannot make it during the scheduled time. If you need a meal kit delivered, please visit http://bit.ly/2vZoHa2. Beginning on Monday, April 6, we will be partnering with local agencies to distribute meals. We will provide more information on the location and hours as we get closer to this date.

Meijer Video Contest

Once again, several of our students have entered the Meijer Great Choices Film Festival.  Please click on the link below, click on gallery (upper right hand corner) and then vote for a TFE video. Look for the teacher name (Jill Cain) under the video. The students  worked very hard and we are hoping to win one of the awards. You can vote once a day per email address until the end of March 29th. https://meijergreatchoices.us.launchpad6.com/contest2/entries

Find us on Facebook and Twitter

If you haven’t already done so, please find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/threefireselementaryand find us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HowellTFE.  We are using these sites to stay connected with you!  For example, this week our teachers posted a "we miss you video" for our Timberwolves!  Our staff also loves seeing the pictures you share with us on these sites.  

District Issued Chromebook Technology Support

Technology support for school-issued Chromebooks is available by calling 314-635-0638 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. For the immediate future, and following the Governor’s Stay at Home Order, on-site tech support has been discontinued. 

Yearbook

We welcome you to share photos of what you are doing at home with activities and keeping your children active for our yearbook.  While we won't be able to include all submitted photos, we will do our best to get them all posted on our facebook page.  Please email pictures to Sharyn Tormanen at [email protected].  

Doughnut Fix Update

Staff members have volunteered to record the remaining chapters of our One School, One Book titled The Doughnut Fix.  Click here to follow along with Mrs. Spisak as she reads chapter 20.  We hope that you enjoy the read alouds! You can follow along with your child at home and participate in the voluntary activities for each chapter as you would like.  Feel free to email Sharyn Tormanen pictures of your child reading the book and/or participating in the suggested chapter activities. For example, when reading chapter 20, we encourage you to Play Monopoly or another board game!  Please email your board game pictures to Sharyn Tormanen at [email protected].  

22nd Annual ‘Got Art’ Exhibit

The annual 'Got Art' student art exhibit at the Howell Opera House has been cancelled.  We would still like to recognize our twenty-five students who were selected to exhibit their artwork in this show.  Give a warm congratulations to the following students:  

• Kindergarten: Gracie Pietila, Raegan Langolf, Savannah Rich and Lucianna Davies
• 1st grade: Libby Starr, Vann Edwards, Reese Rochowiak and Jolin Apsitis
• 2nd grade: Brooklyn Clark, Stella Stepp, Maeli Blythe and Addalyn Kelley
• 3rd Grade: Sofia Honkala, Lillian Mack, Addie Lopez and RJ Faron
• 4th grade: Lilianna Desjardin, Alexa Seiter, Jayden Grimley and Sophia Minnick
• 5th Grade: Morgan Caldwell, Lea Pietila, Brody Miller, Madeline Wagner and Krystian Kubicz

WHMI “Making the Grade” Award 

On March 3rd, Mr.  Johnson was surprised by WHMI with one of the station’s “Making the Grade” awards. The award honors an outstanding teacher in Livingston County.  Mr. Johnson was selected as one of four winners from a pool of more than 100 nominations! Congratulations Mr. Johnson! The pack is proud!   

Michigan History

Our Michigan History competitors did outstanding at their District competition on February 29th!  The theme this year was Breaking Barriers in history. All 3 Three Fires teams advanced to the State Finals!  Students chose a topic, completed extensive research using both primary and secondary sources, wrote a process paper, thesis statement, and annotated bibliography, and then made an exhibit to display what they learned.  Vivian Hahn did an individual exhibit about Madame LaFramboise. Killian Franco, Mickey Brennan-Voght, Lex Glime, and Emerson Johanningsmeier did a group exhibit titled, Operation Overlord. Madeline Wagner, Katie Dooley, and Allie Ulanowski did a group exhibit titled, Train Ride to Freedom, about Michigan's role in the Underground Railroad.  Congratulations to all of them! Thanks to Cheri Carroll for mentoring our students through this process!

Counselor’s Corner - Jeanie Nemeth 

This information is taken directly from the National Association of School Psychologists and School Nurses and The Child Mind Institute.  The news of the Coronavirus can make parents and children very anxious and uncomfortable. Acknowledging the concern, without panicking, is important.  Children look to adults for guidance and cues on how to react to stressful events. Click here for some tips for answering questions and providing reassurance. 

Social-Emotional Support

The current events happening in our world can be scary for both children and adults. During this time, we know that some students may be in need of social and emotional support. To support our students, our school counselors are available by email if a student needs to talk to them. You can find their email addresses at https://bit.ly/2QGLoqD. Additionally, our counselors continue to update their local resources and support documents, which can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2vMY9sr. 

Updates on COVID-19

Please continue to check the Howell Public Schools COVID-19 webpage at HowellSchools.com/COVID-19 for up to date information and resources.

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/threefireselementary, find our PTO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThreeFiresElementaryPTO/, find us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HowellTFE